I really want to learn how to code and program in many languages, but I am not familiar with most aspects of the coding languages (except for html, actionscript, and php) and the types of software used to create apps.
I read that visual basics is outdated, and that it’s not recommended to use it, but why does Microsoft have what looks to be a very nice computer/web programming page where you can download Visual Basics Express?
What is the best programming language to begin with? I know html and actionscript and a little php, but I want to learn computer programming.
Could you tell me what each of these programs from Microsoft do?
1) Microsoft Visual C# 2008 Express
2) Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express
3) Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express
4) Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 Express
Do you recommend these programs? I really want to begin with computer programming without taking classes and what not, but I need good programs and an effective source to learn from.
Thanks!
October 31, 2009
Questions About Computer/web Programming?
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It sounds like you have a good start for web programming if that is what you want to do. There are two basic web programming platforms. Microsoft’s .NET which uses ASP and different versions of Visual Basic that you mentioned above. The other is open source on UNIX, which includes JAVA, PHP, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, Perl, Python and many others. You really need to figure out what it is your really want to do, but PHP is very popular as a server-side scripting language. JavaScript is a very popular client-side scripting language. If you want to do website programming you will also need to learn CSS. I would recommend going to http://www.lynda.com/ to look at their training videos. You can join with unlimited access for around $250 a year, and I think they have a monthly rate as well that’s only around $25. They have video tutorials on all the major programming languages including HTML, Actionscript, PHP, CSS.
Also, if you know Actionscript, I would recommend continuing with that as there are quite a few things you can do with Flash including creating CD business cards. Check out http://www.discwritecd.com/
Comment by John R — October 31, 2009 @ 12:59 am
Visual Basic just refuses to die. And there is no reason why it should. It is a lot easier to make applications in VB than most other systems but it is Microsoft only. It is also not the best language for writing games in. If you want performance you need to go for C++. C# is also Microsoft only and it is a much cleaner language than either VB or C++ and still pretty speedy.
I don’t know what the Web Dev one is like but no doubt it integrates with ASP.
Comment by Peter K — October 31, 2009 @ 2:33 am
The old Visual Basic 6 is out dated and not used much for new projects, but VB.NET is quite popular and in wide spread use.
If you have done PHP, then you have done computer programming. If you want to learn another language all the tools you mentioned are a good choices. If I had to recommend just one language out of those I would go with C#. If you want to do desktop applications you will need Visual C# 2008 express. If you want to do web applications you will need Visual Web Developer 2008 Express.
Comment by Relaxation Visualization — October 31, 2009 @ 3:56 am
There are descriptions on the MSFT site describing all these applications. I would start learning C# there seems to be quite a demand for it at the moment. Also PERL and JS might be good to learn as well. Good luck.
Its also important as a developer to pay attention to detail and thoroughly read instructions! So get your development career off to a good start and RTFM.
Comment by senventy — October 31, 2009 @ 5:49 am